Quick-change filter system and a base and a quick-change filter intended for such a system

ABSTRACT

A quick-change filter system including at least one base, and at least one quick-change filter having an inlet, an outlet, and a filter housing. The base includes a filter coupling part having a gas inlet stub for connection to the inlet, and a gas outlet stub for connection to the outlet. The filter housing is at least partly filled with filter material, and is connected to the inlet and the outlet. The quick-change filter further includes quick-change coupling containing the inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter and arranged for cooperation with the filter coupling part. The base is configured for manual connection to the quick-change filter, and for automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decoupling the quick-change filter from the base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/449,817 filed May 30, 2003 entitled QUICK-CHANGE FILTER SYSTEMAND A BASE AND A QUICK-CHANGE FILTER INTENDED FOR SUCH A SYSTEM now U.S.Pat. No. 6,918,952; and claims priority to Dutch patent application No.1023520 filed May 23, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a quick-change filter system that is providedwith at least one base and at least one quick-change filter which can beplaced on such a base.

A quick-change filter intended for such a system is known from EP-A-0606 960 of applicant. In addition, applicant puts such quick-changefilter systems into circulation. In practice, the quick-change filter iscalled a cartridge.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is a new quick-change filter system that isprovided with a quick-change filter in which no backflow of gas takesplace in the filter housing thereof.

Another object of the invention is a new quick-change filter system thatis provided with a quick-change filter that is arranged for filteringhydrocarbon compounds from a gas to be led through the quick-changefilter and in which system it can be observed whether the filter isalready saturated.

A next object of the invention is to provide a quick-change filtersystem that has a higher capacity and, in addition, an improved cleaningeffect.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filter system of whichthe status can be determined automatically.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a quick-changefilter system in which the detachment of the filter from the base doesnot lead to the shutting off of the gas flow.

A next object of the invention is to prevent that inferior filters aremountable on the base of the quick-change filter system according to theinvention.

Another next object of the invention is to provide a solid connectionbetween the base and a quick-change filter, precluding the possibilitythat the quick-change filter is connected wrongly to the base.

Another object of the invention is to provide a quick-change filtersystem that is provided with a quick-change filter arranged forfiltering water and oxygen from a gas to be led through the quick-changefilter and in which system it can be observed whether the filter isalready saturated

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a quick-change filtersystem that is provided with a quick-change filter that can be useddirectly, that is, without pre-flushing, at least after a minimalpre-flushing time. As for the known filters, the filter usually needs tobe flushed for some time with the carrier gas before the carrier gasfrom the filter can be used for processes. An object of the invention isa quick-change filter system of which the flushing time can be reducedor even omitted.

For this purpose, the invention provides a quick-change filter systemprovided with at least one base and at least one quick-change filter,which base is provided with an inlet connecting element and an outletconnecting element for connecting the base to a fluid pipe system, thebase being provided with a filter coupling part provided with a gasinlet stub for connection to an inlet of the quick-change filter andwith a gas outlet stub for connection to an outlet of the quick-changefilter, the quick-change filter being provided with a filter housing,which is at least partly filled with filter material and to which theinlet and the outlet are connected, and with a quick-change couplingarranged for cooperation with the filter coupling part of the base, thequick-change coupling containing the inlet and the outlet of thequick-change filter, the base being provided with means for manuallyconnecting the quick-change filter to the base, and being provided withsealing means for the automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stuband the gas inlet stub when decoupling the quick-change filter from thebase.

To prevent backflow in the filter housing, the flow resistance of thegas inlet stub can be larger than the flow resistance of the gas outletstub, such that backflow of gas in the filter housing is prevented.

For the purpose of observation of the saturation of the filter materialof a quick-change filter that removes hydrocarbons from a carrier gas,the filter housing can be manufactured from glass, so that it istransparent, with the housing containing, in addition to the filtermaterial, an indicator that changes color when the filter material issaturated or at least loses its filtering effect, with the filtermaterial removing hydrocarbons from the gas, with the indicator changingcolor when it comes into contact with hydrocarbons. For this purpose,the indicator can contain potassium dichromate and the filter materialactive carbon. In addition to potassium dichromate, the indicator canalso contain silica gel and sulphuric acid.

To obtain a larger filter capacity, in the quick-change filter system,two quick-change filters of the same type can be connected in parallelin the pipe system. Surprisingly, in addition to the larger capacity,that is, standing time, this also yields a considerably better cleaningof the gas. It is suspected that this is the result of the fact that therate of gas flow in two filters connected in parallel is considerablylower and that thus the residence time of the gas in the filter materialis considerably longer. This longer residence time is suspected to leadto the considerably better cleaning of the gas. Optionally, such aparallel coupling can be simply realized using a base provided with atleast one pair of filter coupling parts, with the inlet connectingelement connecting to an inlet channel in the base, with the outletconnecting element connecting to an outlet channel in the base, with thegas inlet stubs of a pair of filter coupling parts each being connectedto the inlet channel, with the gas outlet stubs of a pair of filtercoupling parts each being connected to the outlet channel.

To be able to simply retrieve the data of the various quick-changefilters in a quick-change filter system, in each quick-change filterthereof a transponder can be incorporated. The transponders can be readout from a distance. In this manner, it can be simply determined howlong a specific filter is already in use and whether it needs to bereplaced. When the evaluation of these data in a control also takes intoaccount the amount of gas flowed through, the use of indicators in thefilters can be even dispensed with. In fact, by monitoring the remaininglife, the system can warn the user when the filter needs to be replaced.For reading out the transponder, for instance one of the bases, somebases or each base of the quick-change filter system can be providedwith a receiver for reading out a transponder of a quick-change filter.

Optionally, the base is provided with a by-pass pipe and means forcreating a fluid connection, via the by-pass pipe, between the inletconnecting element and the outlet connecting element when a quick-changefilter is decoupled from the base and for closing off this fluidconnection when a quick-change filter is placed on the base.

Such a by-pass pipe minimizes the chance of air from the environmentdiffusing into the pipe system when the quick-change filter is detachedfrom the base. As for the known base, the gas flow was shut off when thequick-change filter was removed. In this embodiment, unfiltered gas isled through instead. There are process conditions in which such asolution produces better results. In any case, the process is notinterrupted in this solution, although very temporarily, unfiltered gasis used.

To prevent that filters of other manufacturers are placed on a base ofapplicant, the filter coupling part of the base and the quick couplingof the quick-change filter can be provided with mutually cooperatingform features, which ensure that only quick-change filters intended forthe base in question can be placed on the base.

Such a measure is highly important because when quick-change filtersfrom other manufacturers than the manufacturer of the base are placed,the effect of the quick-change filter system can no longer beguaranteed. Examples of various form features are described in theclaims.

For the purpose of filtering water vapor and oxygen from the gas, thefilter housing can be at least partly filled with a filter material thatis put into circulation under the brand name NANOCHEM®. The firm ofMatheson-Trigas puts this material into circulation. This filtermaterial can also serve as an indicator because it already shows acoloring when it comes into contact with a gas that contains a few ppbof oxygen or water. When the NANOCHEM® filter material is also used asan indicator, the filter housing naturally needs to be manufactured fromglass.

What is special about the exemplary embodiment shown is that this is aquick-change filter 2 intended for removing hydrocarbons from a gas,while the presence of an indicator 40 also makes it visible when thefilter material 12 is saturated. In the present exemplary embodiment,the filter material 12 comprises active carbon and the indicatorcontains potassium dichromate that changes color when it comes intocontact with hydrocarbons. In another embodiment, the filter material, apart of the filter material and/or the indicator is NANOCHEM® filtermaterial which is put into circulation by Matheson-Trigas.

In particular when the filter has already been pre-flushed with heliumin the factory, the construction and the sealing of the filter housingneed to meet stringent requirements. In fact, helium will easily diffusethrough, for instance, a plastic housing or a faulty sealing.

The invention also relates to a quick-change filter that is evidentlyintended for a quick-change filter system according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a base that is evidently intended for aquick-change filter system according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims andwill be clarified below on the basis of two exemplary embodiments, withreference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a base with a quick-change filterplaced thereon;

FIG. 2 shows a similar cross-sectional view of a base without aquick-change filter;

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the base;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the base shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the base shown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the base shown in FIGS. 2-5;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a third alternative embodiment ofa base with a filter placed thereon;

FIG. 8 shows the base of FIG. 7 without a filter placed thereon;

FIGS. 9-11 show a top, front and right side view respectively of a basewith two filter coupling parts, omitting the gas inlet and gas outletstubs;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the base shown in FIG. 9 withgas inlet and gas outlet stubs and with a filter placed thereon; and

FIG. 13 shows, in more detail, the gas inlet and gas outlet stub of theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

In the various figures, like parts will be numbered alike.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows, in cross-sectional view, a combination of a base 1 with aquick-change filter 2 placed thereon, which combination can be part of aquick-change filter system in which one or more of such combinations arepresent.

As FIGS. 1-6 show, the base is generally provided with an inletconnecting element 3 and an outlet connecting element 4 for connectingthe base to a fluid pipe system. An inlet channel 24 opens into theinlet connecting element 3. An outlet channel 25 opens into the outletconnecting element 4. The base 1 is further provided with at least onefilter coupling part 5 provided with a gas inlet stub 6 for connectionto an inlet 7 of the quick-change filter 2 and with a gas outlet stub 8for connection to an outlet 9 of the quick-change filter 2.

The base 1 is provided with means for manually connecting thequick-change filter 2 to the base 1. In the present embodiment, this isa screw ring 14 that can be screwed onto the filter coupling part 5provided with screw thread 15 while clamping the bottom side of thequick-change filter 2. The fixing can thus be done manually, which meansthat no tools need to be used.

As is clearly visible in FIG. 2, the base 1 is provided with sealingmeans for automatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub 8 and thegas inlet stub 6 when decoupling the quick-change filter 2 from the base1. The sealing means comprise a valve 16 in the inlet stub 6 and a valve17 in the outlet stub 8. Each valve 16, 17 is provided with a valveflange 16 a, 17 a and a valve stem 16 b, 17 b. On the valve flange 16 a,17 a rests a sealing ring 18, 19, which in a closed position of thevalve is pressed against a valve seat 20, 21 in the inlet and outletstub 6, 8 respectively. The valves 16, 17 are each kept in a closedposition by a spring 22, 23 that is under prestress (see FIG. 2). Byplacing a quick-change filter 2 on the base 1, the valves 16, 17 areopened automatically against the effect of the springs 22, 23 (see FIG.1). In this manner, a fluid connection is created between the inletconnecting element 3 and the inlet 7 of the filter 2 via inlet channel24 and between the outlet connecting element 4 and the outlet 9 of thefilter 2 via outlet channel 25. It is also clearly visible in FIG. 2that on the gas inlet stub 6 and the gas outlet stub 8 two sealing rings26, 27 and 28, 29 respectively are provided to create a gastightsealing. FIGS. 3-6 show some views of the base 1 in which the gas inletstub 6 and the gas outlet stub 8 have been omitted. The stubs 6 and 8are placed in the openings 43, 44 in the base (see FIGS. 4 and 5). FIG.4 further shows an opening 45 in which a dowel pin will be placed thatserves to prevent that a quick-change filter 2 is wrongly connected tothe base. The presence of the dowel pin and the corresponding opening inthe quick-change coupling 13 of the quick-change filter 2 ensures thatthe filter 2 is always connected to the base 1 in the right manner.

The quick-change filter 2 is provided with a filter housing 10 with aninlet 7 and an outlet 9. The filter housing 10 is at least partly filledwith filter material 12. The quick-change filter 2 also has aquick-change coupling 13 arranged for cooperation with the filtercoupling part 5 of the base 1. The quick-change coupling 13 contains theinlet 7 and the outlet 9 of the quick-change filter 2. The filterhousing 10 is surrounded by a protective cap 30. Such a protective cap30 prevents the filter housing 10 from breaking as a result of bumping.In addition, the protective cap 30 protects the user when the filterhousing 10 would explode as a result of the overpressure therein. Theconnection between the filter housing 10, which in the present exemplaryembodiment is designed in glass, and the quick-change coupling 13 iscreated by means of a clamping plate 31 and two O-rings 32, 33. Byclamping the clamping plate 31 using bolts 34, 35, the O-rings 32, 33are deformed and thus clamp the ends of the filter housing 10. Thefilter material 12 is kept in place by two gas-permeable plugs 36, 37.In the inlet 7 and the outlet 9, caps 38, 39 are placed which are boredby the valve stems 16 b, 17 b when placing a filter 2 on the base 1.

What is special about the exemplary embodiment shown is that this is aquick-change filter 2 intended for removing hydrocarbons from a gas,while the presence of an indicator 40 also makes it visible when thefilter material 12 is saturated. In the present exemplary embodiment,the filter material 12 comprises active carbon and the indicatorcontains potassium dichromate that changes color when it comes intocontact with hydrocarbons. In another embodiment, the filter material, apart of the filter material and/or the indicator is nanochem® which isput into circulation by Matheson-Trigas.

What is also special about the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 isthat the quick-change filter 2 is provided with a transponder 41. Thebase 1 is provided with a receiver 42. The advantages of such provisionsare that the status of the various filters 2 in a quick-change filtersystem can be determined automatically. In fact, when the receivers 42are connected to a central processing unit, the period of use andoptionally the remaining standing time of the various filters can simplybe monitored. Thus, the system can warn the user that new filters needto be ordered or the system can even place the order automaticallybefore the end of the life of the filter is reached. The transponder 41and the receiver 42 can also be used to check whether the right filteris placed on the base 1. Optionally, the transponder 41 can be providedwith a temperature sensor. When the temperature of the filter materialrises, this usually means that a reaction takes place, which means thatthe filter material becomes saturated there. When the transponder 41with the temperature sensor is arranged near the downstream end of thefilter housing 10, it can thus be determined whether the filter is aboutto leak. Then the transponder 41 thus serves as an indicator and thehousing of the filter no longer needs to be designed transparently andcan be manufactured from, for instance, metal.

The transponder 42 can also be used for storing the historical fielddata of the quick-change filter 2 in question. In this manner, servicelife, flow measurements and/or temperature measurements can be stored inthe memory of the transponder 42. Such data can simply be used to deducea remaining life.

What is special about FIG. 7 is that the base 1 is provided with aby-pass pipe 51 and with means for creating a fluid connection betweenthe inlet connecting element 3 and the outlet connecting element 4 viathe by-pass pipe 51 when a quick-change filter 2 is decoupled from thebase 1 and for closing off this fluid connection when a quick-changefilter 2 is placed on the base 1. In the present exemplary embodiment,the means are formed by incorporating in the gas inlet stub 6 a pin 52which is longitudinally adjustable in relation to the base 1, which pinis provided with a first and second sealing face 53, 46. The base 1,more in particular the gas inlet stub 6 thereof, contains a first andsecond valve seat 47, 48. In a first position, the pin 52 lies with thefirst sealing face 53 against the first valve seat 47 and thus forms ablock in a fluid connection between the gas inlet stub 6 and the inletconnecting element 3 while a fluid connection is present between theinlet connecting element 3 and the by-pass pipe 51 (see FIG. 8). In asecond position, the pin lies with the second sealing face 46 againstthe second valve seat 48 and thus forms a block in a fluid connectionbetween the by-pass pipe 51 and the inlet connecting element 3 while afluid connection is present between gas inlet stub 6 and the inletconnecting element 3 (see FIG. 7). The pin 52 is pressed into theposition shown in FIG. 8 by a spring 49. Due to the presence of theby-pass pipe 51, the pipe system as well as the base 1 remain filledwith carrier gas and thus the underlying process, such as for examplegas chromatography, mass spectrography or LCMS can continue. Admittedly,unfiltered gas is briefly used, but this generally presents no problemto the underlying process. In any case, the duration of the flushingafter changing the filter can be considerably reduced or omittedcompletely.

FIGS. 9-11 show a top, front and right side view respectively of a base1 provided with a pair of filter coupling parts 5. In FIGS. 9-11, thegas inlet stubs 6, 6′ and the gas outlet stubs 8, 8′ are not shown.FIGS. 9-11 do show the openings 43, 44 in which the gas inlet and gasoutlet stubs 6, 8 are to be fitted. Also, openings are shown in which adowel pin 50 is incorporated in the completed condition of the base 1.The gas inlet and gas outlet stubs as well as the dowel pins 50′ arevisible, however, in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 12 and 13. Onsuch a base, two quick-change filters 2 of the same type can be placed.The base is embodied such that the quick-change filters 2 are thenconnected in parallel in the pipe system. For this purpose, the inletconnecting element 3 connects to an inlet channel 24 in the base. Theoutlet connecting element 4 connects to an outlet channel 25 in thebase. The gas inlet stubs 6, 6′ of a pair of filter coupling parts 5, 5′each are connected to the inlet channel 24. The gas outlet stubs 8, 8′of a pair of filter coupling parts 5, 5′ each are connected to theoutlet channel 25. The gas flowing into the inlet channel 24 will thusspread over the two filters 2 and after flowing through the filters,which takes place at low speed, so that, surprisingly, not only a longerstanding time of the filters is obtained, but also a better cleaning,will leave the base 1 via the outlet channel 25. In particular forprocesses which require a large gas flow, such as for example an LCMSprocess, such a parallel connection is a great advantage.

In FIG. 13, a number of other details of the base 1 shown in FIG. 12 areshown. Incidentally, these details can be applied equally fruitfully ina single base. Firstly, it is clearly visible in this figure that theflow room in the gas inlet stub 6 around the valve stem 16 a isconsiderably smaller than the flow room in the gas outlet stub 8 aroundthe valve stem 17 a. This makes the flow resistance in the gas inletstub 6 considerably larger than the flow resistance in the gas outletstub 8. As a result thereof, the chance of stagnation or backflow of gaswithin the filter housing 10 is minimized, which has a favorableinfluence on the cleaning effect of the filter 2. In order to achievethis, in the present exemplary embodiment both the inside diameter andthe outside diameter of the gas outlet stub 8 are designed larger thanthose of gas inlet stub 6. These diameter differences do not onlyprevent backflow in the filter, but also have the particularly favorableadditional advantage that, even without the presence of dowel pins 50,wrong mounting of a filter 2 on the base is prevented. The gas stubs 6,8 with the different diameters thus form a unique form feature. Thisform feature also ensures that filters of other manufacturers do not fitto a thus designed base. In this manner, the good effect of thequick-change filter system can be better guaranteed. In fact, all partswill be coming from one manufacturer. Optionally, further form featurescan be added to the base 1. For instance, the gas inlet stub 6 can havea greater length, at least extend further out of the filter couplingpart 5 than the gas outlet stub 8. Also, it is possible to provide morethan one dowel pin 50, which is shown in FIG. 12. The presence of morethan one dowel pin provides a solid and stable connection between thequick-change filter 2 and the base 1. Furthermore, the dowel pin couldhave such a length that it completely extends through the quick-changecoupling 13 and the clamping plate 31 of the quick-change filter 2. Thismakes the connection of filters provided with a cylindrical housingcompletely filled with filter material impossible. Such filters are putinto circulation by, for instance, Varian Chrompack.

It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplaryembodiments described, but that various modifications are possiblewithin the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The filter housing can, for instance, be manufactured from metal when noindicator to be visually inspected is present in the filter housing.

1. A quick-change filter system comprising: at least one base and atleast one quick-change filter, which base is provided with an inletconnecting element and an outlet connecting element for connecting thebase to a fluid pipe system, wherein the base is provided with a filtercoupling part provided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inletof the quick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection toan outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the quick-change filter isprovided with a filter housing, which is at least partly filled withfilter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, andwith a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filtercoupling part of the base, wherein the quick-change coupling containsthe inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the base isprovided with means for manually connecting the quick-change filter tothe base, and is provided with sealing means for automatic, gastightsealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decouplingthe quick-change filter from the base, wherein the flow resistance ofthe gas inlet stub is larger than the flow resistance of the gas outletstub, such that backflow of gas in the filter housing is prevented, andwherein the quick-change filter system further includes a transponderincorporated in the quick-change filter.
 2. The quick-change filtersystem according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the gas inlet stubis smaller than that of the gas outlet stub.
 3. The quick-change filtersystem according to claim 1, wherein both the inside diameter and theoutside diameter of the gas inlet stub are smaller than the respectiveinside diameter and outside diameter of the gas outlet stub.
 4. Aquick-change filter system comprising: at least one base and at leastone quick-change filter, which base is provided with an inlet connectingelement and an outlet connecting element for connecting the base to afluid pipe system, wherein the base is provided with a filter couplingpart provided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of thequick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection to anoutlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the quick-change filter isprovided with a filter housing, which is at least partly filled withfilter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, andwith a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filtercoupling part of the base, wherein the quick-change coupling containsthe inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the base isprovided with means for manually connecting the quick-change filter tothe base, and is provided with sealing means for automatic, gastightsealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decouplingthe quick-change filter from the base wherein the filter housing ismanufactured from glass, so that it is transparent, wherein the housingcontains, in addition to the filter material, an indicator that changescolor when the filter material is saturated or at least loses itsfiltering effect, wherein the filter material removes hydrocarbons fromthe gas, wherein the indicator changes color when it comes into contactwith hydrocarbons, and wherein the quick-change filter system furtherincludes a transponder incorporated in the quick-change filter.
 5. Thequick-change filter system according to claim 4, wherein the indicatorcontains potassium dichromate.
 6. The quick-change filter systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the filter material comprises activecarbon.
 7. A quick-change filter system comprising: at least one baseand at least one quick-change filter, which base is provided with aninlet connecting element and an outlet connecting element for connectingthe base to a fluid pipe system, wherein the base is provided with afilter coupling part provided with a gas inlet stub for connection to aninlet of the quick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub forconnection to an outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein thequick-change filter is provided with a filter housing, which is at leastpartly filled with filter material and to which the inlet and the outletare connected, and with a quick change coupling arranged for cooperationwith the filter coupling part of the base, wherein the quick-changecoupling contains the inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter,wherein the base is provided with means for manually connecting thequick-change filter to the base, and is provided with sealing means forautomatic, gastight sealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inletstub when decoupling the quick-change filter from the base, wherein inthe quick-change filter system, two quick-change filters of the sametype are connected in parallel in the pipe system, and wherein thequick-change filter system further includes a transponder incorporatedin each quick-change filter.
 8. The quick-change filter system accordingto claim 7, wherein the base is provided with at least one pair offilter coupling parts, wherein the inlet connecting element connects toan inlet channel in the base, wherein the outlet connecting elementconnects to an outlet channel in the base, wherein the gas inlet stubsof the pair of filter coupling parts are each connected to the inletchannel, wherein the gas outlet stubs of the pair of filter couplingparts are each connected to the outlet channel.
 9. A quick-change filtersystem comprising: at least one base and at least one quick-changefilter, which base is provided with an inlet connecting element and anoutlet connecting element for connecting the base to a fluid pipesystem, wherein the base is provided with a filter coupling partprovided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of thequick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection to anoutlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the quick-change filter isprovided with a filter housing, which is at least partly filled withfilter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, andwith a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filtercoupling part of the base, wherein the quick-change coupling containsthe inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the base isprovided with means for manually connecting the quick-change filter tothe base, and is provided with sealing means for automatic, gastightsealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decouplingthe quick-change filter from the base, and wherein the quick-changefilter system further includes a transponder incorporated in thequick-change filter.
 10. The quick-change filter system according toclaim 9, wherein the base thereof is provided with a receiver forreading out the transponder of the quick-change filter.
 11. Thequick-change filter system according to claim 9, wherein the transponderis provided with a temperature sensor.
 12. A quick-change filter systemcomprising: at least one base and at least one quick-change filter,which base is provided with an inlet connecting element and an outletconnecting element for connecting the base to a fluid pipe system,wherein the base is provided with a filter coupling part provided with agas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of the quick-change filter andwith a gas outlet stub for connection to an outlet of the quick-changefilter, wherein the quick-change filter is provided with a filterhousing, which is at least partly filled with filter material and towhich the inlet and the outlet are connected, and with a quick-changecoupling arranged for cooperation with the filter coupling part of thebase, wherein the quick-change coupling contains the inlet and theoutlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the base is provided withmeans for manually connecting the quick-change filter to the base, andis provided with sealing means for automatic, gastight sealing of thegas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decoupling the quick-changefilter from the base, wherein the filter coupling part of the base andthe quick coupling of the quick-change filter are provided with mutuallycooperating form features, which ensure that only quick-change filtersintended for the base in question can be placed on the base, and whereinthe quick-change filter system further includes a transponderincorporated in the quick-change filter.
 13. The quick-change filtersystem according to claim 12, wherein the form features concern thediameters of the gas inlet stub and the gas outlet stub.
 14. Thequick-change filter system according to claim 13, wherein the insidediameter of the gas inlet stub is smaller than the inside diameter ofthe gas outlet stub.
 15. The quick-change filter system according toclaim 13, wherein the outside diameter of the gas inlet stub is smallerthan the outside diameter of the gas outlet stub.
 16. The quick-changefilter system according to claim 12, wherein the form features concernthe lengths of the gas inlet stub and the gas outlet stub.
 17. Thequick-change filter system according to claim 12, wherein the formfeatures comprise at least one dowel pin on the filter coupling part ofthe base.
 18. The quick-change filter system according to claim 17,wherein more than one dowel pin is provided on the filter coupling partof the base.
 19. The quick-change filter system according to claim 17,wherein the length of at least one dowel pin is such that this pin, inmounted condition of the quick-change filter on the base, completelyextends through the quick-change coupling of the filter, wherein a borethrough the quick-change coupling is provided.
 20. A quick-change filtersystem comprising: at least one base and at least one quick-changefilter, which base is provided with an inlet connecting element and anoutlet connecting element for connecting the base to a fluid pipesystem, wherein the base is provided with a filter coupling partprovided with a gas inlet stub for connection to an inlet of thequick-change filter and with a gas outlet stub for connection to anoutlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the quick-change filter isprovided with a filter housing, which is at least partly filled withfilter material and to which the inlet and the outlet are connected, andwith a quick-change coupling arranged for cooperation with the filtercoupling part of the base, wherein the quick-change coupling containsthe inlet and the outlet of the quick-change filter, wherein the base isprovided with means for manually connecting the quick-change filter tothe base, and is provided with sealing means for automatic, gastightsealing of the gas outlet stub and the gas inlet stub when decouplingthe quick-change filter from the base, wherein a quick-change filterfrom the system has already been pre-flushed in the factory, using thegas that will later clean the system, wherein after pre-flushing, thefilter housing is constructed and sealed such that hardly any air orgasses from the air diffuse into the filter or flushing gas diffuses outof the filter, and wherein the quick-change filter system furtherincludes a transponder incorporated in the quick-change filter.
 21. Thequick-change filter system according to claim 2, wherein both the insidediameter and the outside diameter of the gas inlet stub are smaller thanthe respective inside diameter and outside diameter of the gas outletstub.
 22. The quick-change filter system according to claim 5, whereinthe filter material comprises active carbon.
 23. The quick-change filtersystem according to claim 10, wherein the transponder is provided with atemperature sensor.
 24. The quick-change filter system according toclaim 14, wherein the outside diameter of the gas inlet stub is smallerthan the outside diameter of the gas outlet stub.
 25. The quick-changefilter system according to claim 18, wherein the length of at least onedowel pin is such that this pin, in mounted condition of thequick-change filter on the base, completely extends through thequick-change coupling of the filter, wherein a bore through thequick-change coupling is provided.